Emma took 5 horses to Wingham One Day Event this weekend;Firestorm (aka "HAAS") who has won repeatedly at Preliminary and Pre-Novice levels (for owners Sue and Michael),her own Pendragon (aka "Pigeon") who was stepping up to 1* level,an experienced 3* (schoolmaster)horse, Diablo Heart, which (Emma's) strapper Ashley now owns and competes at Pre-Novice level, and 2 Newcomers on their first Horse Trials outing: Emma's own Don J'Amee (aka "Jimmy") and my youngster, Canyonleigh Paeon (aka "Pan").
Saturday saw the dressage and show-jumping for all classes run at Taree Showground, and at the end of the day, Haas,(Usually brilliant) had an Off day, Pigeon was leading the One Star, and Jimmy and Paeon were runing 1st and 2nd respectively in the large (30+) Newcomers class with scores of 74% and 70% respectively; both clear showjumping.
Paeon was second on in the morning for his dressage, at 8:06am, but the judge was smiling (!!!) at the end of his test!! A great start.
Emma presented him beautifully and he did the right thing by starting and ending hid test with beautiful square, calm halts!! First and last impressions really do count; tempo was steady throughout, transitions were spot-on, (especially his right strike-off to canter just in front of the judge) and his circles were "circular". Always helps!!
The show-jumping got underway about midday. The bunting blowing in the gale-force winds was a bit of a concern, but Pan barely batted an eyelid; just asked a question, but accepted my reassurance it was nothing to worry about as he stood waiting for Emma to dismount form her dressage on Haas to pick up the jumping rounds on the Newcomers; first Pan, then Jimmy...both clear.
At the end of the day, only Haas and DH had caused rider angst!! and 3 of the 5 were at the top of their classes!
No comments:
Post a Comment